Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Animated thriller

A Scanner Darkly (2006): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

A Scanner Darkly (2006) movie poster

A Scanner Darkly is a 2006 animated thriller directed by Richard Linklater, starring Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr. and Winona Ryder. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $7.7 million worldwide. Critics gave it 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10. Stream it on Kanopy and YouTube Free, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
68%
worldwide gross
$7.7M
Metascore
73
A Scanner Darkly (2006) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Scanner Darkly About?

The premise of A Scanner Darkly without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In a dystopian future, an undercover narcotics agent struggles with drug addiction while attempting to infiltrate a drug ring. The blurring lines between his real identity and his assumed persona lead to a descent into paranoia and a questioning of reality. Combining live-action and animation, this darkly comedic adaptation of Philip K. Dick's semi-autobiographical novel explores themes of surveillance, deception, and the fragility of the human mind in a haunting vision of America.

A Scanner Darkly Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • covered in bugs
  • fictional drug
  • drugs
  • rotoscoping
  • lodge meeting
  • washing a dog
  • collie dog
  • introduction
  • man in a shower
  • psychotronic film
  • downward spiral
  • undercover agent
+38 more
  • man wears eyeglasses
  • alternate reality
  • adult animation
  • lawnmower
  • female police officer
  • suburb
  • for grown ups animation
  • mature animation
  • female rear nudity
  • female full frontal nudity
  • bare chested man
  • convertible car
  • bearded man
  • sportscar
  • identity
  • substance d
  • undercover
  • sacrifice
  • code name
  • near future
  • drug user
  • california
  • corporation
  • schizophrenic
  • detective
  • undercover cop
  • fast motion scene
  • philosophy
  • labor camp
  • moral dilemma
  • drug manufacturer
  • smoke ring
  • locker room
  • brainwashing
  • social commentary
  • false name
  • double cross
  • false accusation
Where to watch

Where to Watch A Scanner Darkly

Stream it on Kanopy and YouTube Free, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

A Scanner Darkly Cast

Keanu Reeves leads the cast, with Robert Downey Jr. and Winona Ryder. Directed by Richard Linklater.

Ratings

A Scanner Darkly Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave A Scanner Darkly 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.

Plot

A Scanner Darkly Plot Summary

What happens in A Scanner Darkly from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The United States has succumbed to the war on drugs, with Substance D, a potent drug inducing surreal hallucinations, now rampant throughout the nation. Alarmingly, an estimated 20% of the population is ensnared by addiction. In a desperate bid to regain control, the government has rolled out an invasive and sophisticated surveillance network, deploying undercover agents and informants to combat the escalating crisis.

Full summary

The whole story of A Scanner Darkly, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

A Scanner Darkly Box Office

A Scanner Darkly grossed $7.7 million worldwide. $5.5 million came from the US and Canada and $2.2 million (28%) from the rest of the world.

2006 box office

Worldwide gross

$7.7M

US & Canada
$5.5M
International
$2.2M
US & Canada 72% Rest of the world 28%
Videos

A Scanner Darkly Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Original Theatrical Trailer
  • Trailer Original Theatrical Teaser Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know A Scanner Darkly?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What substance ravaged the country in 'A Scanner Darkly'?

Cars

Cars in A Scanner Darkly

18 cars on screen, including the 1981 Chevrolet Impala and the 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata.

All 18 cars
  • 1981 Chevrolet Impala in A Scanner Darkly 1981 Chevrolet Impala Main role
  • 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata in A Scanner Darkly 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Important role
  • 1977 Toyota Corolla in A Scanner Darkly 1977 Toyota Corolla Important role
  • 1993 Ford Crown Victoria in A Scanner Darkly 1993 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
Details

A Scanner Darkly Also Known As

30 alternative titles, including “Una mirada a la oscuridad” and “A”.

Also known as
  • Una mirada a la oscuridad
  • A
  • Neižvelgiamas pasaulis
  • Viziuni întunecate
  • Temacno zrcalo
  • A Scanner Darkly: Una mirada a la oscuridad
  • 黑暗掃描儀
  • Karanlığı Taramak
  • A Scanner Darkly - Un oscuro scrutare
  • A Scanner Darkly - Der dunkle Schirm
  • Помутнение
  • A Scanner Darkly - O Homem Duplo
+18 more
  • A Scanner Darkly (Una mirada en la oscuridad)
  • Temný obraz
  • Przez ciemne zwierciadło
  • 黑暗扫描仪
  • Kamera által homályosan
  • Камера потъмняла
  • סורק אפלה
  • O Homem Duplo
  • Mračni skener
  • Replikator
  • Hämärän vartija
  • Läbi hägu
  • 스캐너 다클리
  • Затьмарення
  • 心機掃描
  • 世紀毒殺網絡
  • スキャナー・ダークリー
  • สแกนเนอร์ ดาร์คลี่

Seen A Scanner Darkly?

FAQ

A Scanner Darkly FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of A Scanner Darkly, each answered in a sentence.

How long is A Scanner Darkly?

A Scanner Darkly runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was A Scanner Darkly released?

A Scanner Darkly was released on July 7, 2006.

Who directed A Scanner Darkly?

A Scanner Darkly was directed by Richard Linklater.

More films by Richard Linklater

Who is in the cast of A Scanner Darkly?

A Scanner Darkly stars Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr. and Winona Ryder.

Where can I watch A Scanner Darkly?

In the US, A Scanner Darkly is streaming on Kanopy and YouTube Free and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did A Scanner Darkly make at the box office?

A Scanner Darkly grossed $7.7 million worldwide ($5.5 million domestic, $2.2 million international).

How is A Scanner Darkly rated?

A Scanner Darkly has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 68% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does A Scanner Darkly have a post-credit scene?

No. A Scanner Darkly has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app